COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in communication sciences and disorders (CSD) at Wichita State University is a 120-credit-hour undergraduate program designed to provide a strong foundation in human communication, speech, language, and hearing science while preparing students for graduate study and professional careers in speech-language pathology or audiology. Students must complete at least 45 credit hours of major coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.500 in the major, in addition to university general education requirements and requirements set by the College of Health Professions. The curriculum begins with core foundational courses such as CSD 111 Disorders of Human Communication, which introduces the nature of speech, language, and hearing disorders, followed by CSD 301 Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms, which provides essential scientific understanding of how communication systems function. Students also study CSD 306 Applied Phonetics and CSD 506 Acoustic and Perceptual Phonetics to understand speech sound production and perception, alongside CSD 304 Early Language Development, which explores how communication skills emerge in children. Clinical and applied learning is central to the program through courses like CSD 425 Introduction to Clinical Processes and CSD 504 Aural Rehabilitation, where students begin connecting theory to practice in clinical settings. Additional coursework in auditory development and disorders, auditory assessment, communication in special populations (children and aging populations), deaf culture, and genetic and organic syndromes ensures a comprehensive understanding of communication across diverse populations and conditions. The inclusion of HS 585 Clinical Neuroscience strengthens students’ knowledge of brain–behavior relationships relevant to communication disorders. Open electives allow students to complete the remaining credits required for graduation and may be used to explore related disciplines such as psychology, biology, or linguistics. Overall, the program emphasizes scientific knowledge, clinical preparation, and applied learning experiences, ensuring graduates are well prepared for advanced graduate programs and future careers in healthcare, education, rehabilitation, and clinical research focused on human communication and its disorders.